Warriors: Shadow of the Spirits ~ Book one

Gone

"Choose fox!" Ozem spat, "Or I'll kill all of them." Foxtail bounced back and forth between the cats. Leader, family, or love. It was the impossible choice. Foxtail looked at Addertooth but even Addertooth had nothing for him. Foxtail thought of something awful. But it was worth is to save his family, friends, and clan. 

"You're not going to kill any of them." Foxtail stated Ozem growled, 

"And why not?" Foxtail jumped on the highrock almost even with Ozem. 

"Because you're going to take me and then leave the forest alone." Ozem thought for a moment. 

"Why would I make such a deal?!" Foxtail sighed and glared at Ozem. He had to lure him close. "Because I have power from Isavi, Aras, and Ravi." Ozem smiled grimly. 

"The deal is done. You can say your final goodbye." Foxtail let his tail hang between his legs as he jumped down from the highrock. 

"NO!" It was Lavenderfern. "I won't let you go!" Cloverpaw and everyone else nodded. 

"It's one life versus a whole forest." Lavenderfern wailed, 

"We can find another way. We can just a little more time." Foxtail blinked and sighed again. He took his paw and lifted up Lavenderferns head. "You'll see me again. Don't worry." Foxtail winked at Lavenderfern whose face twisted in confusion. Ozem stood on the highrock. "Enough say goodbye and let's go." Foxtail walked up to Seafur. He had a plan, but he needed Seafur to help him. Foxtail followed Ozem into the air after explaining to Seafur what he wanted him to do. 

"Wait!!" Yelled Seafur. Ozem turned around and glared at the persian tom. 

"What now!" Ozem snapped turning around, 

"Why do you hate Isavi so much. I thought you loved her. Normally in a relationship people love one another." Ozem growled, 

"I loved her!! AND SHE DIDN'T... Love me..." Ozem trailed off as Foxtail took his chance the crack in his power would give Starclan a chance to come. 

"Isavi!!" Foxtail yowled into the dark sky. The dark clouds gave way and all of Starclan came down. The blast knocked Ozem unconscious which meant Foxtail was falling. He yelped and tried to let the spirit take over but it couldn't. Foxtail saw the ground getting closer when he stopped just before he hit the ground. Addertooth had caught him. "Nice catch." Foxtail breathed terrified by the fall. Addertooth nodded and set Foxtail down in the center of cats. As soon as his paws touched the dirt Foxtail turned around and saw Ozem with his eyes closed but belly rising and falling. He wasn't dead. Just blacked out. Foxtail saw his claws twitch and he became alert. His army had retreated and only lay the dead of the clans. Foxtail heard Timberstars weakened voice, 

"Foxtail..." Foxtail whipped around and saw him collapse on the grass. Foxtail felt fear rush through him. 

"Timberstar!!" Foxtail went to jump over Ozem but was met with a searing pain on his underbelly. He felt blood cough up as his body slip just before reaching Timberstar. Foxtail heard Lavenderfern gasped and felt her fur on his side. Foxtail saw black splotches start to fill his vision. He then sensed Isavi as her worried face came into what view he had left. Foxtail felt his breath being caught. He wasn't going to have much breath yet. Foxtail lashed his tail unable to properly speak. He felt Lavenderferns paw petting his head and her voice shushing him. Foxtail wished he had more... time.

Lavenderferns POV

    "Foxtail!!" Lavenderfern yowled as his whole body went limp. "No, no, no..." She trailed off and buried her head into his scruff. Lastlife ran up Foxtail and soon enough there was a crowd circling him. Winterfreeze made her way through the crowd to see what all the fuss was about. Lavenderfern looked up and saw her reaction. She was horrified pure fear struck her face. Lastlife nudged Lavenderfern and pushed her out of the way. Isavi and Lastlife exchanged a glance. 

"There is only one way we can save him." Lavenderfern nodded, 

"Anything please just do it!" Lastlife took a step back and stood beside Isavi. 

"Wait!" It was Addertooth. He flew over the crowd. "Allow me," he said bowing to Isavi. "You have given enough of your strength to this young leader." Isavi nodded, 

"I appreciate your courage." Isavi spoke backing away into the crowd. "Are you ready?" Lastlife asked Addertooth. Addertooth nodded and Lastlife dug her claws into the ground and floated slightly into the air with Addertooth not far behind. The Starclan she-cats fur glowed slightly as Foxtails lifeless body floated into the air. Lavenderfern watched in fear as Lastlife's eyes went white as did Addertooths. There was a bright flash of light. Lastlife set down Foxtail but Addertooth landed looking a bit sick. Isavi was by his side quickly as he seemed to black out. Lavenderferns attention was brought back to Foxtail. She approached him slowly not seeing his chest rising and falling. She buried her nose into his fur feeling a wave of grief crash into her, but then her nose felt warmth. Like the blood in his body was moving again. Lavenderferns head shot up and she looked at Foxtail. He was breathing! But she noticed something different. His fur was a darker red color and he had a white underbelly. Lavenderfern gasped, 

"He looks like a fox." Isavi chuckled moving Lastlifes attention to Addertooth,

"He's always looked like a fox, nonetheless, he has received a gift that will give him the strength to lead your clan for many, many moons." Isavi stated to Lavenderfern. Lavenderfern licked Foxtails ear confused but happy to see him alive. 

"What is this gift?" She asked curiously. Isavi blinked and sighed

"Addertooth gave him half of his life force. Foxtail has the ability to cross from the mortal world to Starclan..."

Sorry this is a short chapter but their will be an epilogue and I will publish characters at the end of it. I will be making a second book of this unless for those of you who read my books want me to make a sequel of Rise of the Birds.